Choose This Day

He said, "I didn't know....."
She said, "If you loved me, you'd know!" and went to her room, crying, feeling unloved.

He said, "This is my decision!"
She said, "Why did you make it?"
He responded by withdrawing and not speaking because she had questioned his authority.

You're driving in traffic and someone pulls out in front of you. You're angry and tell the steering wheel exactly what kind of idiots are driving nowadays.

I'm walking along the sidewalk and see a cigarette wrapper lying carelessly thrown aside and think what slobs those smokers are.

A familiar verse begins by telling us to "choose this day who you will serve." We have multitudes of opportunities each day to "choose." It's really up to us.

She could have chosen to believe his heart; instead, she chose to be hurt.

He could have chosen to appreciate the chance to discuss his parenting decision; instead, he chose anger.

You can choose to be thankful you're driving safely versus choosing to ruin your day by starting it in a temper.

I can choose to improve the environment by picking up the cigarette wrapper instead of being irritated.

You know what is also interesting? When we innocently, or even purposefully, do something perceived as wrong by others, we want -- we even expect -- others to understand us.

If we're distracted at a red light which turns green and people start honking, we get mad at them - "Give me a break, already!" Our actions warrant understanding and if need be, forgiveness, right? Granting such benevolence to others, however, is a horse of a different color and usually not so automatic. We must consciously choose the high road.

When we make that choice; when we choose to give someone the benefit of the doubt; when we opt to offer understanding; when we laugh and let it go, we're the beneficiaries. If nothing else, we have less stress, fewer ulcers and lower our blood pressure and chances of heart attacks!

I often encourage couples to provide a safe place for the other person to be themselves; that means, instead of immediately jumping to a negative conclusion, one assumes the other person means well. After all, they love each other, right?

If every couple started the day by affirming to themselves, "he/she loves me and I know I'm going to be treated well," that's what they will expect and, of course, that's what they usually find.

When we expand that attitude to include our extended family, friends, community and the workplace, it's amazing how much better our day goes! Because we don't waste time being upset, complaining or continually getting hurt, we can focus on what we're doing, how we're thinking and how we're impacting those around us. That is, after all, the only thing we can control.

I choose this day who I will serve and how I will do it.